Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz played his last game this week. I was never a fan. When someone idiotically called Ortiz the “greatest Red Sox ever” I scoffed, vowing to compare the DH’s numbers to other Boston greats to show how they did not compare.
But they do (except, of course, to the great Ted Williams).
YR.BY.HR.HITS.RBI...BB…..K..AS.avg.OBP.SLG.OPS
20 14 541 2472 1768 1319 1750 10 286 380 552 931 Ortiz
19 19 521 2654 1839 2021 0709 17 344 482 634 1.116 Ted Williams
23 23 452 3419 1844 1845 1393 18 285 397 462 841 Yaz
18 11 118 3010 1014 1412 0745 12 328 415 443 858 Wade Boggs
14 09 229 1747 0936 0403 0554 06 313 361 521 882 Nomar
16 16 382 2452 1451 0670 1423 08 298 352 502 854 Jim Rice
17 07 306 1960 1111 0857 1116 09 283 360 484 845 Fred Lynn
24 10 376 2356 1330 0849 1386 11 269 341 457 797 Fisk
Perhaps like Chipper and Barry Bonds, in his old age Ortiz learned how to wait on his pitch, then make the most of it. He wasn’t afraid to take a walk. Things I can appreciate. This year, at the age of 40, Ortiz led baseball with 127 RBI, 48 doubles, a .620 slugging percentage, and an amazing 1.021 OPS. Yet his 2016 OPS was still lower than Teddy Ballgame’s career OPS.
Williams missed three seasons in his prime to serve his country in WWII. Add in just three average seasons, and Williams numbers would dwarf all but only a few other baseball immortals. Ted would still have fewer than half as many strikeouts as Ortiz, 80 more home runs, 700 more RBI, 500 more hits, a thousand more walks, and twice as many all-star appearances.
YR.BY.HR.HITS..RBI..BB…..K….AS.
22 22 603 3073 2129 2340 0821 20 Ted
20 14 541 2472 1768 1319 1750 10 Ortiz
The Splendid Splinter’s batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS are all 50-100 points better than Ortiz. Williams won two MVPs to Ortiz’ none. Unlike Ortiz, Williams played in the field. Who was the greatest Red Sox ever? Case closed.
Ortiz did win seven Silver Slugger Awards.
Wade Boggs won eight – and two Gold Gloves.
Yaz won seven Gold Gloves, a MVP, and the Triple Crown.
Fisk won ROY, a Gold Glove, and three Silver Sluggers.
Fred Lynn won MVP in his rookie season - and rookie of the year, and later accumulated four Gold Gloves.
Is Ortiz a hall of famer? Cooperstown voters are fickle. His status as mostly a career designated hitter counts against him. Even with more than 3000 hits, Paul Molitor struggled to gain entry. Edgar Martinez has yet to be voted in. But both played in smaller markets. Ortiz won a World Series for one of the top franchises in baseball. But there are past rumors of PED use. He’ll probably be voted in, though perhaps not on the first ballot.
YR.HR.HITS..RBI...BB…..K..AS..avg.obp.slg.ops
20 541 2472 1768 1319 1750 10 286 380 552 931 Ortiz
21 234 3319 1307 1094 1244 07 306 369 448 817 Molitor
18 309 2247 1261 1283 1202 07 312 418 515 933 Edgar
Another plus: like Chipper, Ortiz may have become more popular thanks to his catchy nickname. Whereas in the old days catchy nicknames were commonplace, baseball today has few well-known nicknames. Few outside of New York associate “Captain” with Derek Jeter, and only the most rabid fans call Greg Maddux “Mad Dog.” Alas, Fred McGriff’s catchy “Crime Dog” moniker hasn’t helped his HOF candidacy.
Ortiz has been the face of the Boston franchise for many years, perhaps one of the most recognizable faces in all of baseball. He spoke out on the issues of the day, and never backed down. In an age where average baseball fans across the country found it fashionable to don a Red Sox cap (a practice that made me run the other way), right or wrong Ortiz was given Ruth-like status by the media and public.
In an age of superlatives, we must take a step back before proclaiming someone the greatest ever. But reviewing his career, Ortiz was indeed great. A great. And maybe in a certain way, maybe a little Ruth-like. But NOT Ruthian, or even near-Ruthian. Also maybe a little Ali-like. Ortiz was a bad man, but he was approachable to children due to his infectious smile.
So farewell, David Ortiz. I’m still not ready to call you by your nickname quite yet.
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